Genetic diversity, taxonomy and legumins implications of seed storage protein profiling in Fabaceae

Proteomic evidences can be pivotal to the discovery of new plant proteins and plant relationships, due to the diversity of form it can reveal. Seed storage protein profiles of 20 Fabaceae species: 4 grain - legumes and 16 non-pulses; of 16 genera and 10 tribes were analysed by sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) to estimate protein content diversity and the possible genetic relatedness.28.3% similarity and 71.7% proteomic polymorphism was scored for the species. The high variability expressed by the lot reflects the genetic diversity amongst Fabaceae population. Dendrogram based on the proteomic data clustered the species into four groups. Aside two species, Albizia lebbeck and Albizia zygia belonging to the tribe Ingeae and those of the tribe Caesalpinieae, the other species clustered with several other non-traditional cohorts resulting in a rearrangement that showed least semblance with phylogenetic relationships based on traditional morphology taxonomic delimitation. The similarity in profiles can be preliminarily forensic for proteins of importance whether for nutritional, industrial or for improvement of existing crops or for entirely new plants as crops. The protein mix, and the resultant relationship based on seed storage proteins instigates a review of erstwhile taxonomic, agricultural and research perspectives for the Fabaceae

Evaluating the Relationship Between Running Times and DNA Sequence Sizes using a Generic-Based Filtering Program.

Generic programming depends on the decomposition of programs into simpler components which may be developed separately and combined arbitrarily, subject only to well- defined interfaces. Bioinformatics deals with the application of computational techniques to data present in the Biological sciences. A genetic sequence is a succession of letters which represents the basic structure of a hypothetical DNA molecule, with the capacity to carry information. This research article studied the relationship between the running times of a generic-based filtering program and different samples of genetic sequences in an increasing order of magnitude. A graphical result was obtained to adequately depict this relationship. It was also discovered that the complexity of the generic tree program was O (log2 N). This research article provided one of the systematic approaches of generic programming to Bioinformatics, which could be instrumental in elucidating major discoveries in Bioinformatics, as regards efficient data management and analysis

Morphology, Biochemical and Genomic Diversity of Hexaploid Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Varieties in Ethiopia: A Prospective Study

Hexaploid Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is one of the most important food cereals grown in many areas worldwide. World population is to increase by 2.6 billion in 2050. Ethiopia is one of the world’s nine countries needed to increase food production. Since few studies on genetic diversity & in adequate evaluation of bread wheat varieties; my objective the project is to study genetic diversity of bread wheat varieties using morphological, SSRs, good baking quality, grain quality performance across environments, and compare and contrast all the mentioned characters. 121 bread wheat varieties, arranged in 11x11 simple lattice design, will be studied at 3 agro ecological regions of Ethiopia for 2013/14 using 25 morphological/phenotypic parameters as a preliminary genetic diversity study from the field; 10 baking and milling quality parameters of the varieties, seed storage protein using SDS electrophoresis banding patterns, and DNA finger printing microsatellite markers of each varieties in laboratory. Hence, the extent and nature of genetic diversity, grain quality, environmental effects on seed storage proteins, genetic variation using SSRs markers, and potential varieties for further breeding and improvement of nutritional and baking quality suggested. Genetic diversity, plant breeders rely on during selection in cultivar development, is one of the key factors for the improvement of many crop plants including wheat. This research is of great interest and is in line with the current Global Wheat Program, will contribute to the increasing of food security, improve productivity and profitability of wheat farming and sustain natural resources in the developing world

Phytochemical, Cytotoxicity and Antioxidant Activities of Five Anti-malaria Plants

The study investigated the phytochemical, cytotoxicity and antioxidant properties of Allamanda cathartica (AC), Bixa orellana (BO), Cymbopogon citratus (CC), Ficus exasperata (FE) and Momordica charantia (MC) used traditionally for the anti-malarial preparations “Agbo” in Nigeria. Phytochemical screening of the plants showed the presence of flavonoids, terpenoids, phenolics, cardiac glycosides and reducing sugars. Free radical scavenging activity of the plants with 2, 2-Diphenyl-1-Picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) recorded significant IC50 values for the inhibition of DPPH by ethanolic leaves extracts of AC (0.46), BO (0.45), CC (1.35) and FE (0.86), respectively and Vit. E (control), recorded higher activity at 0.5 mg mLG1 with an IC50 of 0.25 μg mLG1. BO leaf extracts recorded the most potent effect (0.45) at low concentration of 0.5 mg mLG1. The free radical scavenging activities of these plants doubtlessly contribute to their use in indigenous malaria therapy and may qualify them for anti-malarial drug screening

Ethnobotany of Dacryodes edulis (G.Don) H.J. Lam in SOuthern Nigeria 1- Practices and Applications Among the Yoruba

Dacryodes edulis (G. Don) H.J. Lam or eleme is widely used among Yoruba speaking people of Nigeria. The fruit is the major part utilized for food; eaten singly or with a number of other foods. The pulp oil complements common edible oils. Considered rich with medicinal properties; the plant parts is engaged singly or with other plants for treating several illness and diseases including malaria, dermatological, oral and ear conditions, hypertension, leprosy, labor pain, retarded growth and epilepsy in children. Viewed as a symbol of “fruitfulness” and of “peace” the plant parts are employed for both religious and sociocultural activities such as warding off evil spirits, worship of gods, communal festivals, marriage, naming and settlement ceremonies. The wood is used for carpentry, road and shelter construction. The stem exudates act as glue, as well as for production of cosmetics alongside the fruit oil. The tree crown serves for apiculture as well as for shade. The use of Dacryodes edulis amongst the Yoruba people is immense as it cut across the cultural, socio-economic and medicinal interactions of the people

Seed Ergastic Substances Profiling and its Implications for the Amaranthaceae-Chenopodiaceae Complex

The chemotaxonomic significance of ergastic substances that are aligned systematically to the Amaranthaceae-Chenopodiaceae group and their prospective applications, such as the use of its starch for food, health and industrial uses, were assessed in the present study employing species from four genera: Amaranthus (Amaranthaceae), Chenopodium, Atriplex and Suaeda (Chenopodiaceae). Alkaloids, fats, oils, inulin, protein and starch profiles of the taxa studied generated three groups using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and four clusters using Cluster Analysis (CA). The resultant groups and clusters showed the species did not segregate across traditional lines but aligned with taxa outside genus and family borders. The species Chenopodium botrys and Chenopodium polyspermum were most divergent, constituting a separate group and clusters. The majority of the species segregated as a primary group/cluster, showing close affinities between members of both families; hence, the Amaranthaceae-Chenopodiaceae group can be regarded as a mono-paraphyletic group. Alkaloids were recorded only in Chenopodiaceae taxa and betalains only in Amaranthaceae which presupposes that taxonomic relevant ergastic substances demarcation lines may exist to delimit the families. In addition, these ergastics substances showcase the taxa potential food, health and industrial applications. The Amaranthaceae- Chenopodiaceae starch granule is small in size (0.7-5.4 μm), circular in shape (poorly irregular) and lacks hilium and striations. The small-size granule will be invaluable for a number of prospective food and health uses, principally for low glycemic load foods for diabetics, as well as numerous industrial uses, such as producing environmentally friendly biodegradable plastics as alternatives to petrochemicals

Implications of seed ergastic substance–based diversity in some polygonaceae taxa

The importance plant ergastic products have predispose seeds as major food, medicinal and industrial resources and ultimately have made plant seeds target of researches on different platforms. Seeds of 27 Polygonaceae species of five genera were analyzed for ergastic substances deposits as well as to ascertain the degree of diversity within the family using rescaled Euclidean distance cluster analysis. High degree of similarity (77%) and less than 30% diversity was observed amongst the study population, which points out the inter-specific difference within the family and thus the abundance of related and novel traits for improvement of important species. Starch, fats and oils, inulin and proteins were recorded in all the species, 10 species (37%) excluding members of the Fallopia, Polygonum and some Rumex recorded tannins. Starch characteristics were cereal-like; round, polygonal with a small percentage of irregular shaped granules. Granule size were similar to regular cereal granule size (9.9μm) and 34% B-type size starch granules (<9.9μm). The interest in Polygonaceae starch is connected with the species as important pseudocereals coupled with the fats, oils, proteins, inulin and tannins contents; the plants species constitute a considerable potentials as major non-wood forest products (NWFPs) that will improve rural livelihoods, household food security and nutrition, as well as represent authentic complimen

Morphological characterization of two species of Abelmoschus: Abelmoschus esculentus and Abelmoschus caillei

Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench. (okra) and Abelmoschus caillei (A.Chev.) Stevels (West African okra) are commonly grown as vegetable crops in southern Nigeria. This study examined the intra- and interspecific relationships between the two species, using seven accessions of A. esculentus and eight of A. caillei. Twelve quantitative and 12 qualitative characters were pooled for the analyses. Leaf characters were measured at the inception of the third leaf, floral characters at inception of flowering. Growth pattern was indeterminate for A. esculentus and determinate for A. caillei; stem was weak and procumbent for A. esculentus, stiff and erect for A. caillei; internode length was short/moderate in A. esculentus, long in A. caillei. Epicalyses terminated at the onset of the fruit in A. esculentus, but were hard and persistent in A. caillei; fruit shape was fusiform in A. esculentus, ovoid/oblong in A. caillei, erect in A. esculentus, pendulous in A. caillei. Flowering period was longer in A. caillei (>43 days) than in A. esculentus (maximum of 43 days). A. caillei produced more fruits (77%) than A. esculentus (44%); taller plants were recorded for A. caillei (34.50–52.20 cm) than for A. esculentus (21.30–30.10 cm). Greater intraspecific variation was observed in A. esculentus (five clusters) than in A. caillei (three clusters). The species showed closer interspecific relationship at higher Euclidean distance

Genetic Diversity, Domestication and Conservation Implications of Fruit Morphometric data Analyses for Dacryodes edulis in Southern Nigeria

Dacryodes edulis - African Pear is of socio-economic importance in the Southern region of Nigeria where it is a major auxiliary revenue source for farmers. Cluster and Principal Component analyses of the fruit data showed three distinct groupings: small-sized fruit, large-sized fruit and an intermediary group of mixed fruit types. These reflect the cadre of genetic diversity inherent in the taxon and constitute a possible veritable tool for its improvement. Notwithstanding, the diversity, the prevailing spread pattern of the taxon across the region threatens to erode a section of the species genetic richness; the small-sized fruit types - var. parvicarpa, as well as undermine the genetic integrity of large-sized fruit - var. edulis population. The trend is driven by a vendor/farmer preference for the large-sized fruit type across the region, and except there is delibrate In situ and Ex situ conservation efforts, these intraspecific diversities of the species may be lost altogether

Assessment of In vivo antioxidant properties of Dacryodes edulis and Ficus exasperata as anti-malaria plants

Objective: The phytochemical profile and potential anti-oxidant properties of Dacryodes edulis and Ficus exasperata were evaluated. Methods: 50mg/kg, 100mg/kg, 200mg/kg of ethanol extracts were administered to albino rats for 7days; prior to 2 days CCl4 intoxication. Control groups were; Tween 80 (placebo), CCl4 (-ve control), Vit. E (+ve control). Tissue homogenates were used for assessing the Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances (TBARS) expressed as MDA (Malondialdehyde) levels, Reduced Glutathione (GSH) and Catalase (CAT) activities. Results: Phytochemical profiling of the plants showed the presence of reducing sugars, flavonoids, saponins and tannins; except alkaloids and terpenoids in F. exasperata and cardiac glycosides in D. edulis. Generally, significantly different values (P<0.05) were recorded for Blood and liver homogenates. Elevated MDA levels were observed for the CCl4 treated group (-ve control), but lower MDA levels comparable to Vit E (+ve control) were recorded for D. edulis and the 200mg/kg F. exasperata pre-treatments. CAT levels were significantly (p<0.05) raised in the 100mg/kg and 200mg/kg for blood and the 200mg/kg for liver pretreatments; than for Vit E. CCl4 reduced GSH levels were reversed significantly (P<0.05) in blood by D. edulis and by 100mg/kg and 200mg/kg F. exasperata pretreatments in blood and liver tissues. The mean dose-dependent analysis shows increasing fall in MDA levels with dosage. Conclusions: The plant extracts exhibited dose-dependent oxidative stress suppressive action. This may justify their use for the traditional preparation of the anti-malarial remedies